Battle Through the Heavens: Reap the Red Lotus Karmic Flame at the Start

13. Goodbye, Azure Scales

Tianlan City, Tianshe Mansion.

Even the branch in Tianlan City was quite luxurious, fully demonstrating the foundation of Tianshe Mansion, one of the strongest forces in the Northwest Region. At this moment, in the council hall, twenty seats were arranged in order, with a slender middle-aged man at the head of the table. Although male, he possessed an extraordinary agility. He was none other than Yang Yue, the renowned Lord of Tianshe Mansion, whose fame extended throughout the entire Northwest Region of the Dou Qi Continent.

All the people in the twenty seats possessed considerable auras, at least at the level of a Dou Huang. Of course, there was an exception: the bored girl Qing Lin was sitting on a chair.

"Elders, the Beast Assembly is approaching. What are your thoughts on the candidates?" Yang Yue asked.

An old man on the left spoke up: "Lord of the Manor, with the Holy Maiden and the Young Master participating, the results of this Beast Gathering should not be bad."

Upon hearing this, the woman whom Qinglin called Aunt Chu frowned and said, "The Holy Maiden is too young and probably not suitable to participate in this Beast Gathering."

Many people nodded slightly. They were all aware of the terrifying power of Qinglin's Jade Serpent Three-Flower Pupil. Such a genius would be a very useful helper for the Heavenly Serpent Mansion in the future. Exposing him like this would actually be a loss.

"Sect Master, each Beast Gathering is related to the landscape of the Northwest Region. We still have plenty of time to select the next participants, but the results this time will immediately affect our Heavenly Serpent Palace." Another elder immediately responded.

Yang Yue, seated at the head of the table, remained noncommittal, only asking, "Has the situation regarding the other sects been thoroughly investigated this time?"

The first person on the left replied, "Sect Master, the Alliance of Heroes, the Mysterious Pattern Sect, and the Elephant Rhinoceros Mountain have been confirmed. The leaders all have the strength of a five-star Dou Huang or above."

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the group led by Aunt Yun showed some hesitation. After all, everyone knew the strength of the young master, which was still somewhat inferior to those three freaks. Moreover, the strength of the others was not necessarily inferior to those three sects, and they were well aware of the importance of the Ten Thousand Beasts Association.

Just as Yang Yue was struggling with his decision, someone entered the council hall and said, "Lord, three people have arrived outside. They say they are friends of the Holy Maiden."

Upon hearing this, Qinglin frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled, since she didn't have any friends in Tianlan City.

Yang Yue's face showed impatience: "Don't you know what time it is?"

The person who was summoning Yang Yue whispered in his ear.

"In that case, please come in."

As Xiao Yan and his two companions entered the council hall of the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, Qing Lin's blue eyes filled with excitement and joy upon seeing the newcomers, and she immediately stood up from her chair in surprise.

He walked up to Xiao Yan and said, "Young Master Xiao Yan, what brings you here?"

Xiao Yan smiled when he saw Qing Lin standing timidly in front of him: "I came to see you after I heard about your situation."

Upon hearing this, Qinglin's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

"You are Xiao Yan?" Yang Yue, seated at the head of the table, asked with a hint of displeasure.

Xiao Yan clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Indeed, you must be Lord Yang of the Heavenly Serpent Manor?"

"What brings Mr. Xiao Yan to the Heavenly Serpent Manor?"

"Qinglin was originally a member of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group. Upon learning of the rescue by the Mengtian Serpent Mansion, I have come here to express my gratitude."

"No need for thanks. Qinglin is now the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Serpent Palace, which is simply the duty of the Heavenly Serpent Palace."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was taken aback. It seemed that Qing Lin, the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Serpent Palace, had not suffered any injustice.

Upon hearing Xiao Yan and Yang Yue's conversation, Qing Lin assumed that Xiao Yan wouldn't take her away, and anxiously said, "Young Master Xiao Yan, please don't leave Qing Lin here."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall changed their expressions. Xiao Yan said loudly, "Lord Yang, since Qing Lin is unwilling, how about I take her away?"

Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, Yang Yue immediately stood up from his chair and said in an unfriendly tone, "Mr. Xiao Yan's words are too absurd. How can the Holy Maiden of my Heavenly Serpent Mansion be taken away by anyone so easily?" The aura of a Dou Zong powerhouse spread from Yang Yue, and an invisible pressure enveloped Xiao Yan and the other two.

But neither Xiao Yan nor Xiao Xun'er or Zi Yan showed any change under such pressure.

However, everyone in the room had already surrounded them, yet Xiao Yan and his two companions showed no fear whatsoever.

"Mr. Xiao Yan, you are a guest, but if you want to take the Holy Maiden away, don't blame my Heavenly Serpent Manor for using its power to intimidate you," Yang Yue's cold voice rang out.

"Yang Yue! Yang Yue! Come out here!" A strong yet somewhat impatient voice rang out.

"Elder Su, Elder Su, they are having a meeting inside and you can't just go in," the guard's urgent voice rang out.

But the door was pushed open, and Su Zhang ignored the complicated situation inside and asked, "Yang Yue, is there someone named Yan Xiao here? Where is he? Call him over."

Yang Yue was also taken aback. Su Zhang had helped him when his cultivation technique had problems, so the two had a close relationship. But this was the first time he had seen his usually calm and composed old friend so anxious.

"I don't have any Yan Xiao here, but why are you in such a hurry, Old Su?"

Upon seeing Xiao Yan, Xu Yingwu, who was standing behind Su Zhang, immediately stepped forward and said, "Brother Yan Xiao, you really are here! This is my teacher, Su Zhang."

Then he said to Su Zhang, "Teacher, this is Brother Yan Xiao whom I met."

The people in the hall all had strange expressions. Yan Xiao and Xiao Yan were surprised that someone had chosen such a casual pseudonym. Xun'er and Zi Yan smiled when they saw this.

Su Zhang looked at Xiao Yan and asked, "Is it you who refined the sixth-grade pill? Who taught you how to gather your scattered battle qi?"

Xiao Yan was also taken aback. Su Zhang was clearly of high status, but his loud and boisterous demeanor really puzzled him.

"It was taught to me by my teacher, so what?"

Upon hearing this, Su Zhang's eyes became extremely excited, and he looked at Xiao Yan as if he had a thousand words to say.

However, Su Zhang had not lost his composure and said to Yang Yue, "Old Yang, find me a quiet place. I have something to say to him."

Yang Yue knew his old friend's personality; for him to be so excited, it must be something extremely important. He replied, "I'll take you there."

"Brother Xiao Yan." Xiao Xun'er looked at Xiao Yan with some worry.

"It's alright. You stay here and watch over Zi Yan and Qing Lin. Trust me, even if something happens to me, they won't be able to take me down anytime soon," Xiao Yan said softly.

A piece of jade was handed to Xiao Yan. "If anything happens, just crush the jade," Xiao Xun'er's gentle voice rang out.

Xiao Yan felt a warmth in his heart and nodded. He trusted Xiao Xun'er completely. This girl had never shown her full strength in front of him; however strong he was, Xun'er would always appear to be slightly weaker. Even Yao Lao couldn't see through her true strength. As for himself, with Yao Lao's spirit possessing him, he could leave safely even if everyone in the hall attacked him together.

Su Zhang hurriedly followed Yang Yue to a room, where Yang Yue stepped out and said, "Feel free to talk."

As soon as Yang Yue left, Su Zhang asked in a trembling voice, "Master Yao, is he alright?"